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Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Cost of living in Aiken County, SC

Part of the Augusta Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,066/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 171,949 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,039 34%
Federal tax $493 16%
Healthcare $480 16%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $318 10%
Energy $204 7%
State tax $157 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Aiken County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$868
per month
1 bedroom
$1,039
per month
2 bedroom
$1,175
per month
3 bedroom
$1,545
per month
4 bedroom
$1,890
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Aiken County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,940
per year
Individual earnings
$40,232
per year
Per capita
$36,627
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Aiken County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$199,500
Annual property tax
$862

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Aiken County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$168
per month · 15.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$36
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Aiken County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Aiken County

State and local tax rates for South Carolina.

State income tax
6.4%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
7.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Aiken County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.7 min
Drive alone
82.7%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
8.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Aiken County

What it costs to live in Aiken County each month.

Single person
$3,066
per month
  • Rent $1,039
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $493
  • State tax $157
Couple
$4,383
per month
  • Rent $1,175
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $782
  • State tax $305
Family
$6,883
per month
  • Rent $1,545
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $782
  • State tax $305

Frequently asked questions about Aiken County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Aiken County?

In Aiken County, SC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,039 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,175 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,545 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Aiken County?

In Aiken County, SC, the average household income is $67,940 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,232 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Aiken County?

The estimated cost of living in Aiken County, SC is approximately $3,066 per month for a single person, $4,383 for a couple, $6,883 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Aiken County?

The combined sales tax rate in Aiken County, SC is 7.44%, which includes the South Carolina state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 1.44%.

Is Aiken County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Aiken County, SC would need approximately $3,066 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,940 per year ($5,662 per month). Aiken County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Aiken County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Aiken County, SC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Aiken County?

The average home value in Aiken County, SC is $199,500, with average annual property taxes of $862, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Aiken County compare to other areas?

You can compare Aiken County, SC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Aiken County is in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area.

Other counties in South Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in South Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in South Carolina

Compare Aiken County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources